More than 600 students and mentors took part in the Cathay Pacific's Aviation Exploration Open Day, organised as part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s Strive and Rise Programme.

This year’s event marked the second consecutive year that Cathay has participated in the Strive and Rise Programme, which aims to help young people broaden their horizons, reinforce their self-confidence, develop a positive outlook on life, and set goals for their future.

The Aviation Exploration Open Day began with a Kick-Off Ceremony at Cathay’s Hong Kong headquarters, Cathay City, which included a sharing session by alumni and mentors who participated in last year’s Strive and Rise Programme. This was followed by a career talk with one of the Star Mentors of this year’s programme, Cathay Director People Patricia Hwang, who shared her professional insights and experiences with the students, as well as visits to Cathay’s various facilities at Hong Kong International Airport, including Cathay City, the Cathay Cargo Terminal and the Cathay Pacific Catering Services flight kitchen.

Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam welcomed Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Chan Kwok-ki as the guest of honour at the Kick-Off Ceremony.

Chan said: “The Government would like to sincerely thank Cathay for its staunch support of the Strive and Rise Programme. Today’s Cathay Aviation Exploration Open Day is the first large-scale event of the second cohort of the programme, helping to broaden the students’ horizons and provide them with a deeper understanding of the opportunities available in the aviation industry. I firmly believe that, with the joint efforts of the Government, the business sector and the community, we can support young people to stand tall and reach new heights. I also believe that Cathay will continue to work together with the Government to enhance the competitiveness of the Hong Kong aviation industry.”

Last year, Cathay invited over 1,700 students and mentors from the programme to participate in a series of inspiring aviation-related activities. This culminated in the popular Cathay Community Flight in May 2023, which gave students the opportunity to experience the joy of flying.

Cathay’s contribution to the Strive and Rise Programme aligns with its deep commitment to youth development, which includes various programmes aimed at providing opportunities for young Hong Kong people to explore a career in aviation. These include I Can Fly, the Cadet Pilot Training Programme, the Cathay Hackathon, collaboration with the Vocational Training Council, and various summer internship and graduate trainee programmes.

Over the years, Cathay has also organised a broad range of community initiatives to support local groups with special needs, including volunteer services to provide homework support and mentorship for children from underprivileged and ethnic minority backgrounds.